For Disclaimer please view chapter one.

Author's Note: Sorry about the Delay, writer's block. Read and Enjoy. Love, Kersi. xoxo

Chapter 36: From one brother to another

In her mind it had all been so easy, the friendship with Rumil, the union with Legolas, everything flowed, as it should. But reality proved to be different, nothing turned out as she hoped it would. In reality, Rumil had lashed out at her when she asked him if there was anything that she could do to ease his pain…

"Is there anything I can do to help ease your pain?"

Rumil looked angered at her lack of understanding for what he felt, "You think it is easy for me to stand here before you? To remember things that I held dear to my heart, to think that you loved me and then to find out that all along you loved another, that you were bound to another?" His voice was near yelling.

"Rumil, please, calm down."

He paced back and forth. "No! I will not calm down…I will not do anything that you tell me to do, who do you think you are?"

Aurel shook her head. "I never asked you to fall in love with me, that was a doing all your own…but I am sorry that it torments you so, even after all these years. You knew what state I was in when we met…I offered you friendship, if you took it as something else, then what fault have I in it?"

"You could have told me something!" He stopped his pacing.

Aurel did not know what to say. "I do not wish for this between us."

"And I do not care what you wish for!" He walked up to her.

Aurel felt instant fear at his demeanour, and took steps backwards.

"You have been like poison to me Aurel…slowly taking life from me…" He spat at her…then his tone quieted, and he seemed very sad, "How could something so beautiful, so good, be so destructive?"

"And how could you be so daft!" shouted Aurel, pushing him away from her. "How could you be so cruel with mere words! Did I not love you as a friend? It is you who deceived yourself! I had no part in that Rumil…" She looked at him with pity, "You do not love me Rumil, even as a friend, for friends are not this cruel. It is you who has deceived me…I thought you were someone different." She looked away.

Tears welled in Rumil's eyes. He went to touch her, but she only backed away.

"We are not friends, and I fear we never will be…" said Aurel almost whispering. "Now leave me be!"

"You do not command me." He took a step closer.

"One more step, and you will regret it!" shouted Aurel.

"What goes on here!" said Lasneth interrupting and walking towards the pair. He noted the state that they seemed to be in. "I heard shouting."

Rumil looked at him. "You will do well to stay out of this Prince Lasneth."

Lasneth looked at Aurel.

"There are many unresolved issues between the lady and I." Said Rumil looking back at Aurel.

"I will not leave you with her alone, with the state that you are in." said Lasneth.

Annoyed, Rumil turned to Lasneth, "This does not concern you. She is not yours to claim."

"And she is not yours." Replied Lasneth calmly.

"Please Lasneth, your concern is appreciated, but I think it would be best if I dealt with this myself." Said Aurel.

"I will not leave you alone, Legolas would not leave you alone with him."

"Please Lasneth, Rumil will not hurt me, there is nothing for you to be concerned about."

Lasneth looked at Rumil, who still seemed angered and not himself. "She is to be part of the Royal family of Eryn Lasgalen, if she is harmed in any way, march warden, you will be punished accordingly so." With that Lasneth disappeared back into the wood where he came from.

"It does not end with you, does it Aurel?" asked Rumil, "Have you ensnared him as well?"

"That is a fool's question, you are better than that."

"No I am not, look at me…" He looked down at his feet. "Look at what I have become…"

"I am sorry Rumil."

"Not more than I…" He shook his head, "Not more than I. Now I sense your fear and disgust at me, and the shame I have cast against my family…and the memory of my brother."

"He would tell you not to pity yourself and to face what you are. And to be a brother to Orophin, to not forget those who love you."

Rumil did not dare to look upon Aurel's face, for he feared what he would see, he kept his head hung low.

"I do not judge you Rumil. All that has happened today put it behind you, for I know I will. Do not come looking for me any longer. I have forgiven you for the things you have said, but for a friendship to exist, so must trust…" Aurel walked past him and it was the last time she saw him for a very long time.

She wished in her mind that things had been differently, she wished to see Legolas again, to have his arms wrapped around her, to hear him say all the things she longed to hear, but there had been no word of what was being done and she was still too weak to travel. Her lungs would need years to repair from the damage that was done to them. She yearned to be near her family; Galadriel had fled to the undying lands and Celeborn was never in one place. She wondered if news had been sent to Imladris about her recovery, and if they did know of her well being, why they had not come to her.

"Try not to look so gloomy." Said Gandalf.

"Mithrandir." She said slightly annoyed that he had interrupted her. " I am just in thought."

"A most dangerous thing indeed." He replied smiling.

She smiled lightly. "Has any word been sent of my recovery?"

Gandalf nodded. "To Imladris of course, word has been sent, you will not be here long. Your father has ordered escorts to come and bring you home."

Aurel looked away. "Home." She said with longing. "There was a time I wished never to return there…strange how now things have changed. It will be good to see it again."

"Aye."

"You sent word to Imladris, but to Estel, and Legolas? Has any news been sent to them?"

"I did not need to send them any word. Legolas, I am sure knows that you are alive now, though he was very convinced that you had passed on to another world."

"Well… I had Mithrandir. If it was not for you---."

Gandalf interrupted. "No, no, it was all Rumil's doing, give him the credit he deserves."

She crossed her arms. "Rumil. Yes. But if you had not brought me in the first place…" she wandered off the subject. "Word should be sent to my brother."

"But then they will know where you are, they cannot risk coming here so soon after the war has ended, trouble still lies in these lands. You are to leave for Imladris and they will have come here for nothing, no, I think it best to leave them be for now."

"But Mithrandir…Legolas will be in torture not knowing where I am."

Gandalf laughed in mock. "This is but a short time to wait compared to the years you were separated before."

"I will send word to him if you will not."

Gandalf's brows rose. "It will not make it out of these woods."

Aurel stomped her foot in aggravation.

"You are no child, be patient, and you will be reunited soon." He put his arm around her shoulders. "And it will be good to spend time with your family, will it not? Long has Arwen worried for you, put her fears at ease…be a loving sister and daughter, before you leave them again."

"I will not leave them." Said Aurel confused.

"You will have your own life to live, and so will they. That is all I meant."

Lasneth walked in, accidentally into the clearing were Gandalf and Aurel had been speaking. "Oh… I am sorry to interrupt." He turned back around.

"No, no, Lasneth, please stay. I was just about to leave, and Aurel here has many things on her mind, perhaps you can help her." Said Gandalf.

"I do not know about that…" replied Lasneth.

Gandalf left the two of them alone.

For a while neither spoke, Lasneth only looked at Aurel curiously, waiting for her to say something.

"And how did it end with Rumil?"

"Badly. I think I have a lost a friend." Aurel said sadly.

Awkward silence filled the air. Lasneth attempted to say something again.

"I am sorry to hear that. I understand how it is, I have lost many friends these past few months." He said. Sitting on the bench behind them.

Aurel's curiosity and compassion for his loss caught her attention. "Oh?"

Lasneth nodded. "Whatever happens between Rumil and yourself, you should try and leave it on good terms. Nothing is as final as death, and then, if you wished to say something to those lost, how would you? These, of course, are notions I never thought myself to have to experience. I realized how sheltered I have been all my life, under the care of my brother and father."

"What happened to your mother?" asked Aurel.

"I do not wish to say. I was too young and cannot remember her. That is a question better suited for Legolas."

Aurel sighed. "Your brother is very private, he does not divulge information easily."

"Yes, that sounds like him."

"Though he has changed much since our journey began. When you see him again, you will notice it."

Lasneth smiled. "I can see you truly care for him."

"Yes. I do."

"Then why did you do what you did?" asked Lasneth, surprising Aurel. "He nearly died because you would not let him near you, it was a great pain my family and I had to endure. He never recovered fully. He tried, but nothing could be done without you… many times I wished I had the courage to confront you for causing my brother so much woe. I never thought I would be able to be civil towards you, and here I find myself in the strangest of circumstances."

"I was not trying to hurt him. I was only trying to let go."

Lasneth looked at her. "Trying to let go of something that is a part of you…you must have known that that would be impossible."

"Perhaps, somewhere my mind and heart understood that…and also denied it."

Lasneth slowly nodded his head, trying to understand. "I know too, that had you known the pain you were causing him, things would be different, for you too, must have been suffering. That is why I forgive you, for that, and for taking such good care of Lothluin. She spoke fondly of you and the many hours you spent at her side, even when Legolas could not bare to."

Aurel's eyes widened. "How was Lothluin able to speak to you?"

Lasneth seemed confused. "What do you mean? When she was returned to us…when she fully recovered she told us what happened."

Aurel fiddled around impatiently with her hands. "I was told that she died. You mean to tell me that she is alive?"

"Who told you such a thing?"

"That is not important. Is she alive?"

Lasneth nodded. "Yes, she is alive. Why would anyone tell you that she is dead?"

"I do not know." She whispered fearing why Aragorn would have told her such a tremendous lie.

"All this time you believed her to be dead, and Legolas as well?"

"Yes. And the news was not taken lightly." Replied Aurel thinking of how Legolas reacted.

"This is vexing. You were misled. She is alive and well. Her encounter in battle at Hornburg has changed her much." He observed the look of shock on Aurel's face. "You do not look well."

"I do not feel well. Not with this news you have just lain upon me." She turned to look at him. "Lasneth…why was I told she was dead?" She shook her head knowing that Lasneth did not have the answer.

"Aurel?" asked a voice nearby.

Aurel looked up in her desperation. "Elladan?" She stood up immediately and ran towards him wrapping her arms around him. "Elladan, Elladan, how glad I am to be held in your arms." She whispered to him.

"Little sister, I never thought this moment would be possible." He squeezed her tightly.

"Not too tightly brother. I still recover from my wounds." She said out of breath almost.

He loosened his embraced slightly but still held on to her and she to him.

Elrohir emerged from another side of the clearing they stood in. "Aurel!" He ran to Elladan and Aurel and joined them in their embrace.

Lasneth stood to leave them be.

"Wait!" said Elladan. "Do not go." He let go of Aurel and Elrohir immediately snatched her into an embrace. "You are familiar to me." He continued.

Aurel and Elrohir spoke amongst themselves.

"Yes. We have met many times. I am..."

"Thranduil's other son, Lasneth. You are not a child any longer! Yet when I last saw you, you were at my knees!"

Lasneth smiled. "Yes, I was…. you seemed like a giant back then, but here you are now and I am taller than you." They greeted one another with a grasp of the arms.

"I heard of what happened in Mirkwood, what do you do here?"

"Your sister has been restored to you Elladan and all you do is converse with him!" asked Elrohir happily interrupting their reunion.

Elladan turned around and held his arms out for Aurel and she went to him. "I am happy to have you with us again Aurel…" He turned his head to face Lasneth. "We must set a time aside to speak, there is much I would like to discuss with you."

"And I with you, for now I will let you and your family be." He looked at Elrohir without an expression on his face. "Well met to you Elrohir."

Elrohir did not say a word as he watched Lasneth leave.

"What was that about?" asked Aurel noting the way they were with one another.

"Nothing."

"Nothing? You mean the icy stare you just cast upon him was for jest?" asked Aurel.

He walked briskly along with the guards who seemed to be on edge for a reason. They opened two long dark wooden doors. He entered and they closed the doors behind him. At first, not being accustomed to the darkness of the chamber, he could not see who was inside. It seemed unnatural for elves to hide themselves away in caves, and most especially to have housed themselves there. He sensed a presence next to him, and he only turned his head to find a young blonde elf there. His eyes seemed dark and saddened. A pulling of the drapes in the chamber let some light in, now he could see everything in the room. His attention focused elsewhere, to the bed in the chamber, and the elf that laid in it.

"Elrohir. You have finally arrived." Said a deep voice. When he looked to find its owner he found an elf much like the one who still stood next to him, blonde hair, blue eyes, but his eyes were much older, it was Thranduil, but not wearing his royal robes, nor wearing a crown upon his head. At that moment, he was just a father, a very worried one, standing next to the bed where his eldest son was.

"I came as quickly as I could." Said Elrohir, he walked towards the bed.

But the younger elf stopped him. "We did not ask for you help."

"Lasneth! Step aside." Said Thranduil.

An anger rose in Lasneth, but nothing came of it, he only stepped aside as his father had ordered him to do.

Elrohir approached the bed, and took a look a Legolas. Pale was he. His hair did not shine, and his skin looked almost grey, he looked like Aurel, one of the many thoughts that Elrohir held.

"I am sorry for what has happened to your family, it is indeed generous of you to lend yourself at this dire time." Said Thranduil softly.

Elrohir only nodded, but continued to look at Legolas. "Has anything been attempted?"

"Everything, he seemed to recover for a while, as if fighting it, but he has lost the will."

"My sister has as well." Replied Elrohir, as he put a hand on Legolas's forehead.

"Then what hope have we?" asked Lasneth, "If she dies, do does he!"

Thranduil sighed. "Sometimes I forget how foolish you are, why do you cause me more sorrow than I can carry? Leave if you do not intend to keep your voice silent." He said to Lasneth.

Lasneth threw his arms up in the air and stormed out.

Thranduil looked even more saddened than before.

"It is understandable that he is angered, I would be as well." Said Elrohir. "My father is with Aurel, we will attempt to heal them at the same time, it will be better for them this way."

Thranduil nodded. "I remember your youngest sister little. I never even knew that she and Legolas knew of each other's existence. Why they did not say anything about their bond, is strange."

"Perhaps they did not know what they were feeling. I found them together once, at one of your festivities…twas' not long before the attack, they seemed to interact with one another as if they had known one another for a long time."

"It was the same when I met my wife for the first time. Oh Legolas…you should have told me." He looked upon his son's pale face.

For a moment, Legolas stirred as if he could hear his father, his mouth moved and he was trying to say something, but as quickly as it had begun, it ceased.

"You should try and rest as well, my lord. Your mind is weary; it does not help your son for you to be in this state. I will stay by his side until he is well."

Thranduil nodded. "Then you have firm belief that my son will not die?"

"Legolas is strong and wise, and not ready to let go…he will not die, I will make sure of that."

"Please do. I would not be able to bear the loss of another child." Thranduil bowed his head in his weariness and left the chambers as if the whole world rested upon his shoulders.

Elrohir did not understand what he had meant by that, as far as he knew, there had only ever been Legolas and Lasneth, he had never heard of another, but then he had never asked, never cared. Legolas had been his friend, yes, only because he was a close friend of Elladan, and even then, he never asked about the royal family of Mirkwood. If there was one thing he would do right, it would be to save Legolas from death, and it turn, save Aurel.

Several months passed before Legolas showed any sign of recovery, but when at last the days did arrive they were joyous, not only for Mirkwood, but for Imladris. Elrohir knew his sister was alive.

"Thank you friend, for all that you have done." Said Legolas.

Elrohir nodded.

"As soon as I am fully recovered I shall go to see your sister. It is only right that I do so."

"But Legolas, you have read the letters that my father has sent."

"Would they stop you Elrohir? I love your sister, I will do anything for her, and I must go to her. My recovery must be a sign that she is healing as well."

"If you would do anything for her, then keep yourself at a distance for a while, only for a while…her state of mind is not prepared for your reunion yet."

Legolas looked away, feeling frustrated. "I do not understand."

"I am sorry."

"Not half as sorry as I am."

"She is alive, you are alive, we must be grateful for what we have at the moment."

Legolas looked back at his friend. "Yes. We must." He smiled little.

"Yes." Repeated Elrohir, having run out of things to say. "As for myself, it is time I returned home."

"Of course, of course. Thank you again."

Elrohir smiled sadly as he stood, and formally bowed his head to the prince, before leaving his chambers.

Lasneth appeared before Elrohir, surprisingly just as he had left Legolas's chambers. He was annoyed at having to encounter him again; Lasneth had been nothing but a nuisance to Elrohir, and every day it seemed to get worse. He tried to pretend he didn't see him and continued on walking down the hallway.

"You are leaving?" he asked following Elrohir.

"You know that I am. I am sure your father has informed you."

"And my brother is well enough on his own is he?"

Elrohir wanted to find a way to lose him, but there was no escape. He sighed, "Yes. I would not be leaving otherwise."

Lasneth nodded and kept following him. "And your sister?"

"What about her?"

"How does she fare?"

"Well enough."

"Well enough to reject my brother?"

Elrohir stopped walking. "Why are you asking questions, if you already have answers in your mind?"

"Legolas can only survive like that for so long." Said Lasneth.

Elrohir did not speak.

"Yes, well it is none of your concern now that your sister is recovering."

Elrohir was angry, but still he did not speak.

"Still nothing to say? It must mean that I speak the truth. I will not watch my brother fade. I will make sure that he does not. I will make him forget your sister. You and I can come to an agreement can we not? From one brother to another…if your sister does ever decide to accept my brother, dissuade her…do you understand what I am saying to you?"

Irrationally, Elrohir almost spoke. But he quieted his mind. "Goodbye Lasneth." Was all he said walking away as quickly as possible.